Apparatus for treating articles of manufacture



May 12, 1.925. 1,537,117

' W. R. HURD ZD APPARATUS FOR TREATING ARTICLES OF MANUFACTURE Filed NOV. 22, 1920 WM W Ill

Patented May 12, 1925.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM R. 31731), 8D, ORBEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO'UNITED SHOE MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF PATERSON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION 01 NEW mnsnr.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING ARTICLES OF MANUFACTURE.

Application filed November 22, 1820. Serial No. 425,818.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM R. Hoao, 2d, acitizen of the United States, residing at Beverly, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Apparatus for Treating Articles of Manufacture, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like reference characters on the drawings indicating like parts in-the several f gures.

This invention relates to apparatus for coating, cleaning, or otherwise treating portable articles, and in some respects it relates more nrticularly to removing some or all of t e substance with which the articles of work have been treated. In other respects it relates particularly to apparatus adaptedto remove any excess coating substance that remains solid at ordinary atmospheric temperatures but that is liquefied by heat. So far as the latter aspect of the invention is concerned the subject-matter is related to my copendin-g application Serial No. 221,812, filed March 11, 1918, in which a method adapted for coating articles with melted paraffin is disclosed and claimed. The present invention provides an apparatus adapted to practice the method claimed in my earlier'said application but it Will be clear as the description proceeds, that the illustrated apparatus has utility for other purposes than practicing the said method.

One object of this invention is to provide improved apparatus for treating articles of work with a treating substance. Another object is to provide improved apparatus for removing some or all of the treating or other substance with which articles of work may.

- be coated. A further object is to provide improved apparatus for drying articles that have been treated by a liquid substance. So far as removing the excess of a coating substance is concerned it is immaterial how such substance is applied to the articles excepting that when the coating substance is one that is transformed from a solid condition to a liquid condition by heat an important feature, from the standpoint of economy and rapid output, consists in an organization by which the removal of the" excess substance may be effected before the heated and liquefied coating has lost any substantial degree of its liquidity.

fects desired, with regar The illustrated apparatus provides for remoying surplus treating substance from the articles in two ways, viz, 'by centrifugal force and by a jet or jets of fluld under ressure. These may be used independent y of each other or both together, as desired, since the organization is such that neither militates against use of the other. Furthermore, the jet or jets of fluid may or may not, according to the character of the fluid emitted, have a drying effect in addition to their function of removing surplus coatiu substance. For example, jets of air w uld produce both efiects, whereas, obviously. Jets of steam or water would remove surplus coating substance without having a dryin eifect. It is to be understood, therefore, t at the character of the fluid, whether a liquid or a gas, will de nd upon the efto the character of the substance to be acted upon.

In the attainment of these and other objects, another feature of the invention cousistsin an improved apparatus of the character stated havin interchangeable articlesustaining units a apted to be replaced by each other so that a variety of such units, each desi ed to carry an article of a particular kind or size, may be employed according to the character of the article to be handled The apparatus may, therefore, be used to coat, clean, or otherwise tre-v a great variety of articles with but relatively small additional equipment for each additional kind or size of article provided for.

Still another feature of the invention consists in means for supporting symmetrically balanced rotary articles so that they will be readily rotated about their respective axes by a jet or jets of fluid directed against them, to the end that all parts of the articles will be treated substantially uniformly. Furthermore, if a jet of gaseous fluid is used merely to remove a liquid or particles from the articles, and if the articles are such that they will rotate rapidly under the influence of a jet, the centrifugal action thus developed will supplement the removing eflect caused directly by the blowing action of the 'et.

1 The features hereinbefore mentioned and others are illustrated by the accompanying drawin and are hereinafter described and claime Referring to the drawings,

Fig. 1 represents a vertical section through an apparatus embodying the invention in a form particularly adapted to use a coating substance that may be transformed from a solid state to aliqu ld state by heat;

Fig. 2 is a perspective vlew of a rotary support for carrying the articles to be coated, one of the detachable unlts of sald support being shown detached from the main bod of the support;

Fig. 3 1s a sectional view through one of the article-supporting units and shows one ty e of rotary article mounted thereon;

Fig. 4 is a section through thestructure intersected by the line 44 of Fig. 3 and omitting the article to be coated;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig.3 showing another style of article-supporting device and another style of artlcle mounted there- Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 but at.

a difi'erent radius.

Since, for purposes of illustration, the drawing includes an apparatus adapted to apply a coating substance that may be transformed from a solid state to a liquid state by heat the description will proceed accordingly but it should be understood that the apparatus is nevertheless adapted to operate with substances that do not require heating for any purpose. For example, the illustrated apparatus is adapted to apply coating substances such as paint, apan and -shellac, or, if it is desired to apply parafiin liquefied by a solvent, a solution of paraffin may be used with or without heat. A kettle for the coating substance is 1nd1- cated at 10 and the level of the coating substance is indicated at 11. Although any preferred means may be used for replenishing the supply of coating substance the drawing shows a supply pipe 12 through which the substance may be forced, said pipe having a shut-off valve 13. The lower part of the kettle is provided with an outer shell 14 forming a pressure-tight jacket through which a heating medium such as steam may circulate. Accordinglyv a supply pipe for steam is indicated at 15 and a return pipe or exhaust pipe is indicated at 16. A drain pipe for the liquid of condensation is 1nd1- cated at 17 and is provided with a drain valve 18. The kettle is preferably provided with a cover plate 19 having an opening 20 at one side, said opening being large enough to receive the detachable article-supporting units hereinafter described and afford access to the coating chamber so that the article to be coated may be inserted and removed therethrough.

The illustrated form of apparatus is designed to apply the coating substance by immersion and includes a rotary support 21 in the form of a wheel or turntable. As shown this rotary support is afiixed to the lower end of a shaft 22, the latter being journaled in a bearing 23 formed in the cover plate. The axis of the shaft is inclined so that one side of the turntable will be immersed in the body of coating substance while the opposite side is above the level of the coating substance. In order to provide for taking araticles of various styles and sizes the rotary support is preferably constructed as shown by Fig. 2. This construction comprises a plurality of segmental units 24, each of which is detachable and provided with a plurality of holders 26.- These holders will be constructed according to the size and character of the articles to be coated. According to the construction shown the holders are designed to take rotary cutters 26 such as those used for trimming the edges of shoe soles. Each holder, as shown, is a stud adapted to occupy the central bore of a cutter. The stud is provided with a shoulder 27 on which the cutter may be seated and is further provided with a portion 28 adapted to be pressed into a hole or otherwise affixed to the member 24. Since some of the coating substance will flow into the bore of the cutter it is desirable to remove the excess substance from the bore and accordingly the studs 25 are provided with longitudinal grooves 29 through which the excess substance may be drained, the draining being further facilitated by tapering the central portions of the studs as indicated at 30. Each member 24 is preferably provided with one or more ears or flanges 31 to maintain it in the desired position on the rotary support 21. The rotary support is therefore provided with a channel adapted to receive these ears, said channel being formed in part by a rim 32 and in part by the element 33 on which the members 24 rest. The element 33 as shown consists of a sheet of coarse wire fabric through which the greater part of the excess coating substance may -drain as the members 24 are carried rotatively above the level of the bath. The fabric 33 rests on spokes 34 with which the wheel or rotary support is provided. This construction is such that whenever it is necessary to replace the detachable units 24 with others designed for different styles or sizes of articles said units may be readily removed through the opening 20 in the cover late. p Any preferred form of mechanism may be provided to rotate the support 21, the mechanism shown comprising a worm gear 35, a worm 36 meshing therewith and a pulley 37 for driving the worm. The worm and source so as to rotate the support 21 continuously at a speed such that an attendant may place the uncoated articles on the holders and remove the coated articles at the openin 20 without interrupting the rotation 0 the support. The kettle is preferably provided w1th a stationary guard 40 to prevent the articles from being dropped suddenly into the bath. This guard is substantially flush with the up er surface of the rotary support so that i an article should be drop ed it will land on the support where it may readily and quickly recovered and placed on one of the holders.

Nozzles 41, 42, 43 and 44 are arranged to direct jets of the desired fluid against the coated articles as the latter proceed from the bath toward the opening 20, said nozzles being connected to any available source of blowing medium under pressure. The nozzles- 41 and 42 are preferably arranged to direct their jets tangentially against the periphery of the article while the nozzle 43 is arranged to direct its jet downwardly against the periphery. The nozzle44 is arranged to direct its jet downwardly through the bore of the article so as to supplement and expedite the draining. It is, of course. within the purpose and scope of the invention to provide anyother desired number of nozzles and to arrange them in any other relation best suited to the physical characteristics of the articles to be coated, the number and arrangement shown being preferred for cutters ofjthe type illustrated.

cutters to whirl rapidly. thereby setting up- Since these cutters are provided with peripheral cutting teeth the jets from the nozzles 41 and 42 will impinge against the confronting faces of the teeth and cause the centrifugal action by which the removal of excess coating substance is promoted. The jet from the nozzle 43 will also serve to remove the excess coating substance from the spaces between the teeth.

Each article is carried from the bath to the field of action of the nozzles before'the coating substance has solidified to any appreciable degree and the excess substance is immediately removed so as to leave a very thin and uniform coating on the articles.

. The hardening of some coating substances such as paraffin. shellac and japan would be accelerated by the jets of air so that when the articles reach the point of discharge near the opening 20 they may be picked up without likelihood of disturbing their final coatings.

The apparatus may include a suction flue 45 for carrying 05 the greater part of the odor from the coating substance, this flue as shown being connected to the cover plate.

Having thus described myinventiomwhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1: An apparatus comprising a covered container for a body of treating substance, means for emitting a jet of fluid under pressure in said container but above the level of said body of treating substance, and means constructed and arranged to transfer an article immersed in said body of treating substance from the latter to said jet.

, 2. An apparatus comprising a container for a body of liquid coating substance, means in said container .for emitting above said body a jet of fluid under pressure, and transferring means including a carrier constructed and arranged to carry an article in a circular path one portion'of which is in said body of coating substance and another portion of which intersects said jet.

3. An apparatus comprising a container for a body of liquid coating substance, means above said body for emitting a jet of fluid under pressure, and transferring means including a carrier arranged to turn about an inclined axis to carry an article downwardly into said body of coating substance and thence to said jet.

4. Anapparatuscomprising a container for a body of treating substance, said container having a cover and an opening above the treating substance,- means arranged to emit a jet of air under pressure in said container above the treating substance, and a carrier arranged to carry an article through said body of treating substance, thence to said jet and thence to a point near said opening'so that the article may be removed through the latter.

5'. An apparatus comprising a container for a treating substance, said container having a cover and an opening above the level of the treating substance, a carrier arranged in said container so as to rotate about a nonvertical axis. said carrier being constructed to carry an article of work through the treating substance and thence to a point adjacent to said opening, and means arranged to emit a fluid under pressure in said chamber so that it will impinge on the said article while the latter is supported by said carrier between the treating substance and said opening. I

6. An apparatus comprising a container adapted to hold a body of treating substance, a carrier-movable to carry an article one side uppermost in and out of said body of treating substance, and means for emitting a jet of fluid under pressure above the level of said body to remove surplus'treating substance from the article.

7. An apparatus comprising means for administering a treating substance to articles of work successively, said means including work-carrying means constructed and arranged to carry a plurality of articles in serial arrangement, and means arranged to direct a fluid at high velocity against the articles so as to produce centrifugal action of the articles individually and to throw off surplus treating substance from the articles.

8. An apparatus comprising a carrier having one or more holders for articles of work, said holders being constructed and arranged to hold the articles so that the latter may rotate relatively to said carrier, means arranged to cooperate with said carrier to administer a treating substance to the articles on said holders, and means arranged to cause a fluid at high velocity to impinge on the articles so as to rotate them relatively to said carrier and to throw off by centrifugal force some or all of the treating substance on the articles.

9. An apparatus comprising a container for a body of treating substance, a carrier having one or more holders for articles of work, said holders being constructed and.

arranged to hold the articles so that the latter may rotate relatively to said carrier, the carrier being arranged to carry the articles into and out of the body of treating substance, and means arranged to rotate the articles relatively to said carrier so as to throw oil by centrifugal force some or all of the treating substance on the articles.

10. An apparatus comprising means for emitting a jet of fluid under pressure, and a carrier having one or more holders for articles of work, said holders being constructed and arranged to hold the articles so that the latter may rotate relatively to said carrier, the carrier being arranged to carry the articles successively into the field of said jet so that the latter may rotate the articles held as aforesaid.

. 11. An apparatus comprising a container for a body of treating substance, a carrier having a series-of holders each constructed and arranged to hold an article of work so that the latter may rotate relatively to the carrier, and means arranged to emit a jet of fluid under pressure above said body of treating substance, the carrier. being arranged to carry the articles successively through said body of treating substance and into the field of said jet in such relation that the jet may rotate the articles.

12. An apparatus comprising a carrier having a series of holders each constructed and arranged to hold an article of Work so that the latter may rotate relatively to the' carrier, and means arranged to emit a plurality of jets of fluid under pressure, the carrier being arranged to carry the articles successively into the fields of said jets so that one or more of the latter may rotate the articles as aforesaid and so that one or more other said jets may act otherwise than to rotate the articles.

1 3. An ap aratus comprising a container for a body 0 treating substance, a plurality of nozzles for emitting jets of fluid under pressure, and means arranged to carry an article of work through said body of treating substance and thence into the fields of said jets, said nozzles being arranged to direct the jets against difl'erent parts of the articles.

14. An apparatus comprising a container for a body of treating substance, a carrier having means for holding a hollow article of work, and a plurality of nozzles for emitting jets of fluid under pressure, said carrier being arranged to carry the article through said body of treating substance and thence to the fields of said jets, one of said nozzles being arranged to direct its jet against the exterior of the article and another being arranged to direct its jet into the interior of the article.

15. An apparatus comprising a container for a body of treating substance a carrier having means for holding a hollow article of work so that said article may rotate, and a plurality of nozzles for emitting jets of fillld under pressure, said carrier being arranged to carry the article through said body'of treating substance and thence to the fields of said jets, one of said nozzles being arranged to direct its jet against the exterior of the article, one of said jets being arranged to direct its jet into the interior of the article, and one of said jets being arranged to direct its jet against the article so as to rotate the latter.

16. An apparatus comprisin a container having a treating chamber an an opening through which articles to be treated may be introduced, a carrier arranged in said chamber so as to rotate about an inclined axis, means for driving said carrier, a plurality of work-holders arranged in a series on said carrier so as to cause articles of work held thereby to pass into and out of a body of treating substance in the container, and means for emitting a fluid so that it will impinge on the articles of work successively as the carrier rotates.

17. An apparatus comprising stationary treating means, a carrier arranged to move in cooperative relation thereto, and aplurality of work-sustaining units detachably arranged in a series on said carrier and each having a series of devices for holding articles of work so that they will receive treatment in consequence of movement of said carrier.

18. An apparatus comprising treating means, a carrier arranged to move in cooperative relation thereto, and one or more work-sustaining units detachably arranged on said carrier, each of said units having one or more devices for holding articles of work so that the latter may rotate relatively to the carrier, and means for rotating said articles.

19. An apparatus comprising treating means, a carrier arranged to move in cooperative relation thereto, and one or more work-sustaining units detachably arranged on said carrier, each of said units having one or more posts each arranged to occupy a hollow article of work so as to keep such article in a redetermined position, said posts having cliannels formed to drain liquid from the interior of said articles.

20. An apparatus comprising treating means, a carrier arranged to move in cooperative relation thereto, and one or more posts mounted on said carrier, each of said posts being constructed and arranged to occupy and support a hollow article of work so that the latter may rotate and having a groove arranged to drain liquid from the interior of such article;

21. An apparatus comprising a container adapted to'hold a body of coating substance, said container having a cover and an opening through which articles of work may pass, transferring means including a car-. rier arranged to carry one or more articles of work from said opening into said body of coating substance and return them to said opening, and means arranged to emit a 'et of fluid under pressure so that it will impinge on the article .or articles returning on said carrier from said body to said opening.

22. An apparatus comprising a container adapted to hold a body of coating substance, a rotary shaft extending downwardly into the top of said container and one or more carrying elements carried by said shaft and movable through an endless path in said container such as to immerse the work in said body and thereafter carry the work out of said body.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to'this specification. 7

WILLIAM R. HURD, 2ND. 

